A CHELMSFORD soldier has been crowned the Army's best recruit after completing a gruelling six-month training course.
Private Chris Dickson, 18, from Broomfield, was commended as the best trainee by his superiors after his time at Catterick in North Yorkshire completing the Combat Infantryman's Course.
Chris initially wanted to be in the police, but quickly decided that the military was for him.
He said: "I did a year at Chelmsford College on the Uniformed Public Services course and that convinced me I wanted to be in the Army.
"The course at Catterick is absolutely jam-packed. Although it's only six months, it sometimes feels like a lifetime."
Besides having to be incredibly fit, recruits go through an intensive course of learning drills, weapons training, field craft, patrolling skills and endurance training, which culminates in a live firing and battle camp in Wales.
Chris said: "By the time you get to the final exercise and all your training comes together, you realise how much you've learned.
"The best parts of the course are that I've been with a quality bunch of lads. I feel super-fit and I've been given this award."
The award process started with 48 recruits. The staff, all of whom have had operational experience in Afghanistan, were looking for the one person who is tough, robust and who demonstrates leadership and a selfless commitment to other people.
Spokesman for the barracks, former Major David Cunningham, said: "The guys who have chosen him, they would be thinking 'Who would I take on operations when the bullets are flying?' and it's him."
The young soldier's mother, Dawn, 47, said: "He will go far in whatever he does. I've never worried about what Chris will do in his life. From five days in he called me and he was shocked at just how clinical it was – he had to write his will.
"I'm pleased though that he has persevered."
"He really understands that it's not just glamorous like it is on TV," added Dawn.
Chris is also very resourceful around the house, building his mum a barbecue out of bricks from scratch.
"He's Chelmsford's answer to Bear Grylls," said Dawn.
"The whole family is very proud of him."
"He has a lot of friends – there will be a huge party when he comes home."
Chris will be given the award at his passing out parade on Friday at the North Yorkshire training centre.
After driver training and some leave, he will then join his new unit – the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment based in Bulford, near Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.
